Sports Related Brain Trauma: Let’s Keep Talking and Address the Issue

Whether you’re a Friday Night Lights bleacher fixture, a proud college football fan, or an NFL fanatic, football season is in full effect—and the competition is so fierce that there will be estimated 130-plus plays, hits, tackles, spears and layouts. For a young and healthy athlete, that can lead to serious brain trauma.

Until recently, mild sports concussions were believed to be short-term injuries that did not have a lasting effect on the brain. However, research has shown that athletes with a history of concussions suffer from noticeable brain abnormalities years after being injured.

Researchers from St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto studied 43 student-athletes by conducting an MRI analysis of the students’ brains. Roughly half of them had a history of concussion while the others did not. Researchers found significant changes in the brains of the students with a history of concussion and no changes in the other participants’ brains. Some of the changes included changes in blood flow, size, and connections.

One of the most notable brain changes that researchers saw in the concussion-affected students was a 10 to 20 percent decrease in frontal lobe brain volume. The frontal lobe is the area of the brain that controls speech, problem solving and decision-making. Researchers also found that the concussion-affected students had less blood flow to their frontal lobe areas. Some brain shrinkage was observed, but it was not as severe as the brain shrinkage that is found in Alzheimer’s patients.

The brain changes that people experience after suffering a concussion can have a significant impact on their lives for many years. When the brain injury has been caused by the negligence or recklessness of others, such as an impaired or distracted motorist, an attorney can assist the victim in seeking compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.

At the Law Firm of Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd, our expert personal injury attorneys have worked on behalf of thousands of personal injury victims to help them obtain the full and fair settlement or jury verdict they are entitled to for medical costs, lost earnings and other damages. We understand the significant emotional and physical toll that a brain injury can take, and we know the long-term financial costs involved. Studies show that hiring an experienced accident attorney will get you 3.5 times more compensation than dealing with insurance companies on your own. Attorney Steve Hoskins has the distinction of being a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer—a distinction that less than 10% of all Florida attorneys possess. He has the experience, resources, and reputation to not only get you the compensation you deserve but handle every facet of your case so you can focus on recovering and returning to normalcy.

We don’t get paid unless we win your case, and we offer free appointments to discuss your case. Don’t delay in calling our offices today, as time is of the essence in making accident claims. Call 1-866-460-1990.